I have been on and off watching the tuition exchange comments on this and other sites, and I was well aware that this was more of a chance/scholarship program than any sort of exchange. I’m glad I opened our horizons to schools that did not offer TE, though a couple of the TE offers are strong contenders for my son. We have two TE options, one of which brings direct costs (Tuition, fees, R&B) to our state flagship price (around $37k) and the other one hovers around $50k after TE. We have merit (but not TE) at at TE school that brings it to about $45k, and a non-TE private that is coming in at $25k. He has acceptances to three state schools OOS, and those come in between $52-55k after merit (one of them is TE but unlikely to get). Unless you get great aid at these state flagships out of state, they are not likely to come in very affordable. And yay to RIT which gave acceptance and zero merit (probably assumed since he applied RD wasn’t that interested), which comes in at $78k! Still waiting on one more admissions decision at a TE school RD.
Biggest advice to people in future TE years is to apply to a collection of non-TE schools known for good merit, target some of the more generous TE schools along with the reach-TE schools, and seriously consider home institution!
This is super helpful! I have a Fall 2027 applicant and my home institution just joined TE this past year so all of the TE stuff will be brand new to us in the application process (my Fall 2025 child just missed).
Can you suggest some of the more generous TE schools that a student with a 3.5/3.6 UW GPA (5AP/7 Honors and 20 d/e courses) and likely TO might receive consideration at within a few hours of Philly/NYC East coast area in any given direction? She will have 60credits and Associate degree earned through hs d/e and home institution pre-college credits. She’s likely applying to a mix or TE and non-TE and living in PA she is interested in both Pitt and PSU. She likes Tampa, VT & Delaware - Local would be Univ of Scranton but also thinking of Ithaca, Syracuse, Fairfield, St. Joes. Open to other suggestions - the charts and graphs seem difficult to digest and TE offerings everywhere seem sparing!
I think your best chances for TE will be at smaller schools than the ones you listed. Primarily at less selective LACs and other similar-sized schools, of which there are many in the mid-Atlantic. Check each individual school on the TE website for statistics on number of TE applications received and number of TE applications approved. For example, for 2025-26, Ursinus College received 61 and approved 33 applications. Robert Morris received 52 and approved 27. Much better odds than the larger, more popular schools.
I feel like TE is a bait & switch, and HR departments at universities should stop telling incoming faculty that it’s a benefit of employment. We were told- over two decades ago- that TE was “practically a guarantee because there were so many colleges participating” and they made it sound like a true exchange. We realized with our oldest how few TE slots truly exist, and how competitive they are. If you’re able to luck into one, fantastic- but you surely can’t count on it. We had a younger faculty member over for dinner last fall and when we shared our experiences, he was very surprised- he was told all about TE as a benefit of employment when he started at the university. Our D26 has 1 TE offer so far, and we’re waiting on a couple more results. I did hear that Syracuse does tend to offer more TE spots than average, so for future reference, that may be one to check out.
Just wanted to draw attention to what kidzncatz just mentioned – they have updated the TE site to include the number of applicants. This is helpful (though often depressing) information!
For collegeboundin25, I agree with suggestions from kidzncatz for smaller schools as well. You can use the updated numbers to get a good sense of how competitive these are. Pitt is nearly impossible at 4% receiving TE; Delaware is 13%. Another thing to take into account is whether they offer full tuition or just the set rate. In your target area, I notice that Drew, Duquesne, Ursinus, and Widener all offer full tuition.
Another thing to keep in mind is the financial situation. Many of these colleges I just mentioned are rated at like C- for financial stability. There is always the concern of a merger, removing majors, or (worst case, like U of Arts) closure.
Oh, and to those looking at Drexel - take note that they offered 5 to 282 applicants, which is a resounding 1.8% likelihood of TE.
Thank you for this advice! I’m getting the sense its a longshot at even the more generous TE schools. I was hoping D27’s profile and being TO wouldn’t hurt her chances at some schools that she meets/exceeds benchmarks for admission otherwise but I realize higher stat kids may have a better shot at TE.
Does Financial Aid factor to TE purposes? We are full pay. DD27 will have approx 60+ credits coming in (depending on school and transfer credit acceptance) so I am also curious if this might factor in her eligibility for/against TE if an awarding school might only need to provide the tuition benefit for a shorter term than a student taking 4 years to complete their UG degree.
Of the schools you listed, University of Scranton would probably be the one with the best odds, having approved 86 of 132 applicants (65%) this past year.
It does seem like a bait and switch, although a lot of my colleagues’ kids did get it so I think I assumed it was more likely. I am wondering though if the two schools where they offered my son significant merit aid was because they saw we were looking for TE and they had already given those slots but they still want him to go there. I wonder if we hadn’t put TE on the app whether he would have been offered as much merit aid. Because they each offered him 44-45k per year. So if that’s the case I guess it’s still a card in your hand, even if you don’t get it? I am also regretting we didn’t apply to Urisnus. Realized too late they were a good option
Thank you! You know, it is somewhat liberating to think that I can be a free agent in the next four years if we find an option outside of TE. I’m at a critical stage in my career, and although I love my institution and colleagues, empty nest mobility is not such a bad thing.
Yes, my son was class of ‘21 at Syracuse and went tuition free after the second year when they changed their policy to allow merit stacking. At that time (2016-17), they sent a letter immediately that all accepted students who were eligible automatically received TE. The glory days! The rate now is 23% receive TE now according to the TE site.
My son got TE at Muhlenberg in Allentown. It’s a small liberal arts college that has great academics and arts, a beautiful campus, and an impressive record of post-grad accomplishments (high med and law school admit rates, high employment rates). Muhlenberg gives the set TE rate, but they also give a housing award. Because it’s a small, lesser-known school, the admit rate and the TE acceptance rate are higher than most. I think it’s a hidden gem.
Admitted to Drexel with the equivalent to TE in scholarship/grant but on the TE waitlist. There’s a theme here. Also received the Westphal Portfolio Scholarship, so I am hoping that is a meaningful signal about other portfolio-based apps.
That’s an amazing deal. Maybe things will swing back in that direction at Syracuse after last year’s late game increased merit packages in May. Here’s hoping!
Just want to give a glimmer of hope. My son was admitted to Drexel back in December and waitlisted for TE (the scholarship they gave him was close - about $3K less). However, we learned last night that he got the TE scholarship! Even if he doesn’t ultimately land there, I’m so grateful. He was taking it very personally, so at least he got one (and it’s one of the schools he’s still considering). I’m rooting for all of us to secure these!!!
